Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, European Advisory Commission, Austria, Germany, Volume III

SWNCC File

Memorandum by the Acting State Department Member (Hickerson) to the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee ⁸⁶

[Washington,] November 29, 1945.

The Problem

1. To determine the action to be taken with respect to a request from the French Government for captured enemy war material now in the hands of American forces in Europe.

Facts Bearing on the Problem

2. On October 15, 1945, by Note from the French Embassy,⁸⁷ the French Government requested that pending submission of their detailed requirements instructions be issued to suspend the destruction of enemy war material in the American zones of occupation. This request was supported by the Secretary of State and pursuant thereto instructions were issued on October 30, 1945, to the Commanding General, USFET, to postpone further destruction of such material until further notice from the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

3. On October 23, 1945, the French Embassy transmitted the detailed lists of French requirements of German equipment.⁸⁸ These lists have presumably been made available to the War Department through the French Military Mission. At that time the French Government likewise indicated that similar requests had been addressed to the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union.

4. The problem of disposal of captured or surrendered enemy war material was treated in SWNCC 113/5.⁸⁷ The basic recommendation was that such captured material should be destroyed with the exception of material convertible to civilian use needed for operational purposes (except aircraft); material needed to satisfy requests for trophies or scientific research; material identifiable as having been captured from another United Nation; and war material pertaining to ships and vessels of the Germany Navy. The Commanding Generals were instructed to try to reach quadripartite agreement on this policy but, in any case, to put it into effect in their own zones by October 15, 1945.

5. The Commanding General, USFET, replied that the question of disposal of captured war material had been presented to the Allied Control Council before receipt of this instruction, and that it had been agreed that it would be the responsibility of each Zone Commander to dispose of such material as war booty. It was stated that the British had ordered destruction of all weapons and dangerous items in their zone, although they had agreed to discuss transfers of specific items to the French. The Russians had indicated that similar material was being destroyed in their zone. The file does not appear to indicate what action was taken in Austria.

Discussion

6.

a. In a communication dated November 5, 1945, supporting the French request, the French Military Mission in Washington indicated that the task which now falls to France is:

• “1. To participate in the occupation of Germany;
• “2. To place herself in a position to satisfy the demands which may be formulated by the organization responsible for the maintenance of collective security;
• “3. To insure the security of the ensemble of French territories;
• “4. To provide instruction for recruits, trained personnel of the Reserved Army, maintain obligatory military service, which is, even though of short duration, a very important factor of democratization in our country.”

b. In the same communication, the French Military Mission indicated that if the request for German equipment was granted:

“1. Maintenance will not be requested subsequently;

• “2. German factories will not be called upon to help;
• “3. The maintenance of this material will be insured either by French means or by cannibalization;
• “4. Finally, this German material will be replaced by French material as soon as our economy permits.”

7. The problem discussed herein does not relate to material which is susceptible of civilian use but relates only to munitions and other war material. Property which is susceptible of civilian use has been dealt with in other communications to the War Department, which has authorized the transfer of such material either to Allied nations or the use of such material for civilian purposes within Germany. Nor does the problem relate to vessels of the German Navy and stocks of armament, ammunition and supplies appertaining thereto, which were included in the French request but which are being considered separately.

8. The earlier decision in favor of the outright destruction of captured or surrendered war material was based primarily on the desirability of reducing to a minimum German industrial plants capable of producing war material, and on the desirability of avoiding the difficult political questions which allocation to other nations might entail. On the other hand, it is the policy of the United States Government to assist in the reestablishment of a strong France in order that the country may serve as a bulwark of democracy on the continent of Europe and be in a position gradually to assume an increasing share of responsibility in the occupation of Germany and in maintaining the peace.

9. It is the opinion of the Department of State that the latter consideration outweighs the arguments on which the previous policy was based, particularly in view of the fact that it should be possible to obtain firm commitments from the French Government, along the lines of the statements by the French Military Mission quoted in paragraph 6 above, which would preclude them from looking to German industry for maintenance or replacement, and in view of the understanding that German plants capable of producing war material will, in large part, be destroyed or removed from Germany.

10. At the same time the question arises whether the French requirements could not be met, in large part or in entirety, out of surplus stocks of American equipment now in Europe. If so, it is suggested that it might be preferable to enter into an arrangement with the French Government to take over such stocks instead of the stocks of German equipment which they have requested.

Recommendations

11. It is recommended that, in the absence of military objections:

a. The French requests be met insofar as possible out of American stocks which can be declared surplus in Europe.

b. Such portion of the French requests as cannot be met out of American stocks be met out of captured German war material.

c. As soon as determination is made under subparagraphs a and b above, the Federal [Foreign] Liquidation Commissioner institute negotiations with the appropriate French authorities for the disposal of the equipment in question at a consideration which should approximate its scrap value.

d. A definite time limit be indicated to the French Government within which they should take over the stocks.

e. The Commanding General, USFET, be immediately authorized to proceed with the destruction of captured German material in excess of the French requirements as communicated to this Government, in accordance with previous instructions. (SWNCC 113/5)

John Hickerson

[Since further investigation indicated that it was not feasible to meet fully the French requests for material from captured German supplies, particularly due to the poor condition of the latter, it was decided in 1946 to renew authorization for destruction of captured German material and to use United States surplus stocks to meet the French requests (SWNCC 113).]

86. This paper was designated SWNCC 113/7.
87. Not printed.
88. Lists not printed. On December 20, in a note to the French Embassy, the Department of State requested the submission of a new set of consolidated lists of requirements; it also indicated that the United States Government was considering the policy of meeting French needs by transfer of surplus American material (851.24/12–2045).
87. Not printed.